Electronic component incorporating push switch and rotary encoder

Abstract

The objective of the invention is to provide a compact and complex electronic component incorporating a rotary encoder capable of exact adjustment and a push switch with a long life-cycle. In order to achieve the objective, the push switch is fixed on a rear wall or a lower surface of the electronic component such that an essential of the push switch, i.e., a dome-shaped member, can be made larger and has longer fatigue life. Moreover, the rotary encoder includes a rotatable member and a resilient member. The rotatable member has a gear-shaped flange and is rotatable circumferentially relative to a central shaft of the rotary encoder. When the rotary encoder rotates, the resilient member, relative to the central shaft, is stationary. The resilient member has a V-shaped portion retained by a surface of the gear-shaped flange of the rotatable member such that the rotary encoder can be exact adjusted.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An electronic component comprising: 
       a base plate having a rear wall;  
       a rotary encoder attached movably and rotatably on said base plate, said rotary encoder generating a switching signal when rotating;  
       at least one push switch disposed on the rear wall;  
       wherein said rotary encoder comprises:  
       an operational member, the operational member being rotatably attached to said base plate;  
       a rotatable member having a gear-shaped flange, the rotatable member following the operational member to rotate;  
       a resilient member, the resilient member being stationary relative to the center of the operational member, the resilient member having a V-shaped portion retained by a surface of the gear-shaped flange such that said rotary encoder is precisely adjusted when said rotary encoder rotates;  
       a first contact attached to a lower surface of the rotatable member; and  
       a second contact being resilient and in touch with the first contact, the second contact sliding on said first contact to generate the switching signal when said rotary encoder rotates;  
       wherein said rear wall includes an upper rear wall and a lower rear wall, and said at least one push switch includes a first push switch and a second push switch, wherein said first push switch is disposed on said upper rear wall, and wherein said second push switch is disposed on said lower rear wall;  
       a first switching mechanism for selectively switching on said first push switch in response to the movement of said rotary encoder; and  
       a second switching mechanism for selectively switching on said second push switch in response to the movement of said rotary encoder.  
     
     
       2. The electronic component of  claim 1 , wherein said first push and said second push switches comprise a conductive patterned member and a conductive dome-shaped member, respectively, said patterned member is mounted on one corresponding rear wall, said dome-shaped member has a dome end and a circumference contacting one corresponding patterned member, when said dome end of said dome-shaped member is pressed to contact said patterned member, one corresponding push switch is switched on. 
     
     
       3. The electronic component of  claim 2 , wherein the first switching mechanism and the second switching mechanism is a bent arm member, respectively, the bent arm member has a first end pivotally connected to the base plate and a second end adjacent to the dome end of one corresponding dome-shaped member, and when the movement of said rotary encoder takes place, the second end of the bent arm member is actuated to press the dome end of the dome-shaped member to contact one corresponding patterned member. 
     
     
       4. The electronic component of  claim 2 , wherein said first switching mechanism and said second switching mechanism is a plate-like member, respectively, the plate-like members is engaged with said rotary encoder and has an end adjacent to the dome end of one corresponding dome-shaped member, and when the movement of said rotary encoder takes place, the end of the plate-like member is actuated to press the dome end of the dome-shaped member to contact one corresponding patterned member. 
     
     
       5. A electronic component comprising: 
       a base plate defining a lower surface;  
       a rotary encoder attached movably and rotatably on said base plate, said rotary encoder generating a switching signal when rotating;  
       a push switch disposed on the lower surface of said base plate;  
       a switching mechanism for selectively switching on said push switch in response to the movement of said rotary encoder.  
     
     
       6. The electronic component of  claim 5 , wherein said rotary encoder comprises: 
       a central shaft extending through a center of said rotary encoder;  
       an operational member, the operational member being rotatable circumferentially relative to the central shaft;  
       a rotatable member having a gear-shaped flange, the rotatable member following the operational member to rotate;  
       a resilient member, the resilient member being stationary relative to the central shaft, the resilient member having a V-shaped portion retained by a surface of the gear-shaped flange such that said rotary encoder is exact adjusted when rotating;  
       a first contact attached to a lower surface of the rotatable member; and  
       a second contact being resilient, the second contact being in touch with the first contact, the second contact sliding on the first contact to generate the switching signal when said rotary encoder rotates.  
     
     
       7. The electronic component of  claim 6 , wherein said push switch comprises a conductive patterned member and a conductive dome-shaped member, the patterned member is mounted on the lower surface of said base plate, the dome-shaped member has a dome end and a circumference contacting the patterned component, when the dome end of the dome-shaped component is pressed to contact the patterned component, said push switch is switched on. 
     
     
       8. The electronic component of claims  7 , wherein said switching mechanism is pivotally connected to said base plate, said switching mechanism has an end adjacent to the dome end of the dome-shaped member of the push switch, and when the movement of said rotary encoder takes place, the end of said switching mechanism is actuated to press the dome end of the dome-shaped member to contact the patterned member.